If you’ve got acne scarring, you’re far from alone. Acne is incredibly common all over the world, with both adolescents and young adults suffering from this uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing condition.
Acne usually resolves itself by early adulthood, but many people are haunted by a very visible reminder of their acne: the scarring.
Led by founder Tiffany Su, MD, Skin Shop medSpa in Houston, Texas, our compassionate aesthetic professionals understand how difficult it can be to live down the experience of having acne.
That’s why we offer microneedling, a favorite treatment among our patients, to help you heal from the visible trauma from years of acne scarring.
The wavy, uneven skin that acne leaves behind can take a number of forms. Some people have scars that more closely resemble what most people think of as scars. However, most acne scars come from different bodily processes than those that result from blood clotting at a cut.
Instead, depressed scars, also called recessed scars, develop when the body produces too little collagen to lift and firm skin to its pre-acne state. Raised scars result from the opposite reaction — instead of too little collagen, the body produces too much, leaving behind noticeably raised, distressed skin.
Not everyone who endures acne experiences scarring. However, those who do may feel self-conscious. After all, few, if any, beauty publications, television shows, or advertisements choose models with acne scars to represent beautiful people, or even average-looking people.
To fight the pain that recessed acne scarring gives you when you look into the mirror, there are a number of treatment options.
Some medical practices prescribe topical creams — retinols, retinoids, or other collagen-stimulating compounds to help skin recover naturally. While many of these products can be effective, they won’t address issues of hyperpigmentation or any existing skin laxity.
Some medical spa treatments, like chemical peel facials, can reduce the look of acne scars. Chemical peels use a skin-friendly acid to eat away dead skin, and they’re fairly effective at reducing the look of acne scars. However, chemical peels can’t reach the root cause of the scarring.
Fillers, too, play a role in healing recessed acne scarring. In their primary use, to even out, plump, and firm skin, many fillers contain a combination of hyaluronic acid and a collagen-producing compound that helps skin heal from the inside out.
Though fillers and chemical peels can lessen the prominence of your scarring, your best bet for both results and thorough healing could be microneedling.
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, uses a fairly well-known tactic to bring out a creamier, brighter complexion. By carefully and precisely puncturing skin in even rows across the affected areas, the skin repairs itself as it did before, by stimulating collagen production.
This time, however, the needles break up and soften the excess collagen on the surface. The new skin that replaces it is much smoother and softer, even after recovering from a single treatment.
Before we recommend any treatment, we sit with you for a full consultation. Your consultation gives Dr. Su the chance to get to know you, your medical history, and your lifestyle to better assist you in healing from your recessed acne scars.
When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Su makes sure you’re lying down comfortably on a sterilized surface. Dr. Su gently cleanses your skin and applies a topical numbing agent to protect you from the discomfort of the needles.
Each session takes about 20 minutes, and Dr. Su gives you aftercare information customized to your needs.
Acne scars literally leave a lasting impression. Treating them can smooth your skin, boost your confidence, and give you the satisfaction of a touchably soft area, rescued from the aftermath of acne.
Don’t feel as if you’re stuck with acne scars. Call us at Skin Shop medSpa at 713-701-1717 or book an appointment online today.
